The Mole: Cronulla Sharks Discover New Prop as Fan Favourite Set to Depart the Club

With the imminent departure of fan-favourite prop Tom Hazelton from the Sharks set for 2026, the club has swiftly identified his successor.

Prop Tuku Hau Tapuha, born in Auckland, made a significant impact during the recent trial against the Warriors, scoring a try and making a number of impressive runs throughout the match, which ended in a 12-all draw.

The 23-year-old began his career in Brisbane and debuted for the Roosters in the NRL in 2021. After joining the Sharks in 2023, he has been carefully developed by the club for regular NRL action.

A representative for the Maori All Stars, Tapuha participated in 10 games for the Sharks last season and could potentially double that in 2025.

The imposing prop stood tall against the formidable Warriors pack, displaying the size and aggression necessary to step into Hazelton’s shoes if he departs.

WALTERS STANDS OUT, BUT TROUBLES LOOM

Billy Walters is in a battle to secure his place in rugby league at the Broncos and made an early statement during the 50-12 thrashing of the Titans in Toowoomba on Sunday.

Playing at five-eighth, Walters set up the match’s opening try for centre Gehamat Shibasaki.

The son of former coach Kevin Walters had been the starting hooker for the Broncos, but things are likely to change under Michael Maguire.

Maguire’s decision to take two hookers — Cory Paix and Tyson Smoothy — to what was essentially a reserve-grade trial, while utilising Walters at six, doesn’t bode well for his future.

After that initial moment of brilliance, Walters struggled to make an impact, while Paix scored two tries, enhancing his chances of claiming a spot in the Broncos’ top 17 for the first round.

FROM OUT OF FAVOUR TO A KEY PLAYER

Over the summer, there was speculation that the Tigers were keen to offload the enigmatic centre/winger Brent Naden.

However, following his performance in the All Stars game, Naden should be a first-choice selection for the Tigers come round one.

He displayed his strength and speed for the Indigenous team, but what truly stood out was his defensive effort.

His outstanding tackle on Maori centre Mawene Hiroti, which involved a remarkable 60-metre chase to stop his opponent just short of the line, could be one of the highlights of the 2025 season.

Naden’s impressive shape at this early stage of the season could see him emerge as a surprise asset for the Tigers.

ANOTHER ALL-STAR RISES

Jacob Laban also made a case for himself during the All Stars match.

The tall Maori forward scored the winning try at Commbank Stadium with a powerful run, remaining a constant threat throughout the game.

At just 20 years of age, Laban, who was named in last season’s NSW Cup Team of the Year, has already played seven matches in the NRL with the Warriors and is poised for a significant future ahead.

WARRIORS COACH FACES HALVES PREDICAMENT

Following Saturday’s dominant 36-10 victory over the Storm, Andrew Webster has a wealth of talent to choose from in the halves for the upcoming clash with Canberra in Las Vegas.

Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, and Te Maire Martin each had opportunities with the ball, wreaking havoc on a second-string Storm side, establishing a commanding 36-0 lead before coasting to victory.

With three outstanding options, it’s evident that not everyone will fit into the two available spots. However, Webster may choose to include all three in his squad of 17.

Another positive for the Warriors was Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s excellent performance on the left wing, after he previously played fullback and centre last season.

RTS notched up a double, including a stunning effort where he weaved past four defenders, thrilling the Waikato crowd.

MANLY ADDRESSES DEPTH CONCERNS

The Sea Eagles have faced scrutiny regarding their depth in recent seasons, but early signs suggest they have successfully addressed this issue.

Manly triumphed over Souths 34-24 in Gosford on Saturday afternoon, with the ‘back-ups’ that Anthony Seibold will rely on stepping up significantly.

Wingers Raymond Vaega and Navren Willett both looked sharp, each scoring two tries, while Dean Matterson excelled at five-eighth, assisting in two tries.

Halfback Jake Arthur was outstanding, creating two tries and providing three linebreak assists, while Clayton Faulalo presented plenty of trouble for Souths with his size and speed out wide.

First-choice hooker Lachlan Croker will be sidelined at the season’s start, but his two replacements, Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Jake Simpkin, were both effective and active.

New signing Sio Siua Taukeiaho added a significant presence upfront, piling up over 100 running metres.

While Souths managed a couple of flashy tries, their overall performance was lacklustre.

All eyes were on British halfback Lewis Dodd making his debut in red and green, but he was relatively quiet, only showcasing flashes of brilliance.

EMERGING TALENT FOR THE EELS

The Eels had much to be optimistic about after their 44-18 victory over Newcastle on Friday night and found a player undoubtedly ready for NRL action in the centres.

Jordan Samrani, a 21-year-old recruit from the Bulldogs, impressed with 200 running metres and a try, showcasing his potential.

The young talent, who started at the Sharks before moving on, exhibited his powerful play against a fragile Knights defence, causing significant challenges.

Born in Redcliffe, Queensland, Samrani is versatile enough to play second row and his performance has Eels officials confident that they have an exceptional talent on their hands.

NEW TALENT SPOTTED FOR THE DOLPHINS

The Dolphins unveiled a promising teenage winger during the 50-8 rout of the Cowboys on Friday night.

LJ Nonu, just 19 and already signed on for two years with the club, opened the scoring by netting the first two tries within seven minutes and completed his hat trick shortly after.

The Melbourne-born talent, who has a Polynesian background, displayed great potential during his limited outings in the Queensland Cup last season and represented the Maroons at the under-19 level.

Tall, strong, and athletic, Nonu appears set for a bright future in the game and may well debut in the NRL during the 2025 season.